Leicestershire

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Former Leicester City winger Mark Albrighton says his ex-team-mate Jamie Vardy, who this week announced that he will be departing the Foxes at the end of his season, is a hero.

"I wouldn't say it is a sad day but certainly one that a lot of fans will be struggling to come to terms with and that is fully understandable," he said on the Leicester City Football Forum podcast.

"You speak to fans, and get a picture of their last 10 years. Some of them started supporting through the good times, and these are young kids, and Jamie Vardy is their hero.

"All of a sudden, they are going to come to games and he is not going to be there and that is going to be difficult to accept."

Albrighton, who was part of Leicester's Premier League title-winning side in 2016 alongside Vardy, says that given the striker's mentality, it is no surprise that he has opted to leave the club after they were relegated from the top tier this term.

"I spoke to him after the game against Liverpool at the weekend and he more or less told me his plans," he said.

"It wasn't a shock to me, but I think he felt the timing was right.

"He would have wanted to do it in better circumstances, and he felt the relationship there had run its course. It's now time for Jamie and Leicester to move on to new things.

"I look back at when I called it [time on my career] and I couldn't have had it any better.

"I look at this and yeah, it might just take the gloss off it in terms of the relegation, but I think there is enough time between now and the end of the season to appreciate what he did for the football club."

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Former Leicester chairman Jon Holmes has been reflecting on "extraordinary character" Jamie Vardy's career at the club after it was announced on Thursday the striker would be leaving at the end of the season.

Speaking on BBC Radio Leicester's Football Forum, Holmes said: "I've been watching since 1957, the hero then was Arthur Rowley. At the end of that season he unexpectedly left and Rowley is our second-highest scorer. We have now reached the situation where we have the third-highest scorer leaving the game and that is Jamie Vardy.

"He is truly a legend of the club. What he has done for Leicester in the last 13 years is extraordinary. The way he has conducted himself, he is a true hero. He is an extraordinary character who has brought so much joy to Leicester fans. Joy to me, I have to say.

"He is a player you watch and he makes you smile, makes you laugh, you can empathise with him and he shows all his emotions. Truly, he is player that not only looks like a player but he looks like one of the fans. When he plays, all his emotions come out.

"Vardy is an old-fashioned, working-class hero if you like.

"He is the kid form Sheffield, came to us and looked rough and ready. He looked like a player that had come from outside the league.

"The first season, I can remember watching him and, although there were bits there that were raw and he did score a few goals, he looked out of place. He didn't look like he was going to make the step up. Apparently he felt that himself at the end of that season.

"But, the first game of the next season, we played Middlesbrough away and he scored the winner in what became a signature goal for him. On the way back, I phoned Alan Birchenall and I said 'we have a new player'. That was the start."

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We asked for your views on Foxes legend Jamie Vardy's decision to depart when Leicester's season ends.

Here are some of your comments:

Alex: You can use many words but the best one is legend. What Vardy has brought to Leicester is more than any other fanbase will realise, not just the goals but the passion, love for the club and helping us winning trophies. We've seen him grow from that non-league player to our greatest ever to wear the shirt. Do the right thing Leicester and build the statue of him outside the stadium.

Tom: One word. Legend. Best player we have had in my lifetime and I doubt there will be anyone who comes close. From the wonder goal against Liverpool to winning the league and going on a European tour - all would not have been possible without Vardy. I will miss him winding up away supporters, particularly Spurs. Good luck Jamie, and please come back in a management role of some sort and fix this mess.

Philip: He has served the club brilliantly. I will remember him bullying Manchester United in 2014. I was sat in a Greek bar, six Man Utd fans and me - what a great game for him! Many great memories, but above all, his loyalty to the Foxes. My best wishes to a great wind up merchant!

Linda: He means the world to us! We go to every home and away game, and at the away games we are always asked the same thing: 'Is Vardy playing?' Thank you Jamie for everything. It won't be the same without you.

Vinny: I would have to say Vardy's never give up attitude and marksmanship at the peak of his powers make him stand out. He grew into his role at Leicester City. Initially, I thought he wouldn't be that spectacular - but his tenacity became unmatched in the Championship and then the Premier League. My most memorable performances from him were against Man Utd at home to turn the game on its head in a 5-3 win during the 'greatest escape' year and his spectacular volley against Liverpool on our way to the title the following season. A true Leicester great and the fiercest competitor.

Graham: A true Leicester legend. He 100% Stuck by us over the years when he could have moved on but chose to stay out of respect and love for Leicester. He'll go down in our history forever.

James: It's time. Some 13 years at any one club is virtually unheard of, not to mention all of the success he brought. For the sake of his legacy and reputation, it's for the best he goes on his terms before the fans start to turn. And like that, an era draws to a close, thanks for everything JV9, and good luck.

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Football journalist Henry Winter has shared his tribute to Jamie Vardy after the Leicester striker confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the season.

"He's just one of life's characters," Winter told BBC Radio Leicester's fan forum.

"I don't think in the time I've known him he has particularly changed. He's down to earth, he's great fun, and look at what he has achieved, particularly from a slow start.

"It's nine years since the title run and it was just amazing.

"Everyone talks about his physical pace but there was a mental speed and agility that set him apart.

"He's got seven Premier League goals this season. It hasn't been a vintage season for him but it's not been a vintage season for the club.

"When you look at Jamie Vardy play, he does give everything. He leaves the field with sweat on his shirt every time. He's still got a role left in him with another club.

"I know Leicester fans and I know when he returns one day, even in the colours of another club, he will get a big salute because he absolutely deserves it. He is Leicester's greatest ever player.

"The legacy he will leave at the club is Foxes never quit. The legacy is for all of us in life - just never give up, persist, because fairytales do come true."

Kate Blakemore
Fan writer

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It is hard to know where to start when writing about a GOAT as it is incredibly difficult to put down on paper. Honestly, it is impossible to say in a few short words how much joy this man has brought for me, my family and my football club.

Jamie Vardy is the perfect amalgamation of fan and footballer - the kid that had dreams like all of us. It has been an honour to witness firsthand his 13-year highlight reel.

I have listed a few of my personal favourites here (in no particular order as that is too hard):

• Manchester United at home in 2014 - his first Premier League goal in an unforgettable 5-3 victory

• West Bromwich Albion away in 2015 - an injury-time winner; a major factor in the 'Great Escape' season

• Liverpool at home in 2016 - a tremendous volley on the road to the title.

When one thinks of Vardy, what immediately comes to mind is an abundance of ability, pace, character, tenacity and 'celebration engagement' with the away fans.

The flying eagle against Crystal Palace, 'howl' to Wolves fans, corner flag guitar playing, running the length of the pitch to bow to the away fans, his '1-0' to Tottenham fans only as recently as January, and there is many more.

As an away supporter, he is the man that you hate to love and love to hate.

But aside from all that, Vardy has been the spearhead of an era where all of our dreams became a reality, including his own.

A non-league £1m 'punt' by Nigel Pearson in 2012, soon followed by a 5,000-1 win of the Premier League title and reaching the Champions League quarter-finals. He led us through it all as a true professional. His impact and loyalty to this club will be unrivalled during my lifetime.

Vardy puts personality in football, something that has sadly become a dying breed, and he showed his unmatched loyalty to the club when 'better' offers were on the table.

He is Leicester's heartbeat and now, in this sad moment of relegation, it is time to move on and find a new sign of life.

Don't cry because it is over, smile because it happened.

Find more from Kate Blakemore at Leicester Till I Die, external

• Not a Leicester fan? Find and follow your club here

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BBC Radio Leicester is hosting a live fan forum to discuss the news Jamie Vardy will depart after 13 years.

Join the sports team and a special guest or two to chew it over and have your say on what Vardy means to you.

Listen now on BBC Sounds

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Wolves (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Captain Jamie Vardy came and spoke to Van Nistelrooy on Wednesday about his decision to leave at the end of the season and the Leicester boss said the conversation was "special": "From person to person, former striker to former striker and from manager to player, it was impressive - like his career. The love for the football club comes through in every word he says."

• He continued: "[Vardy] felt really supported by fans from the beginning. Over the 13 years he played, many highs and lows. What stands out is the loyalty to the football club. Taking responsibility for the football club and being the best he can be to preform. He was there through thick and thin, providing typical Vardy ways of playing - aggressive, quick, intuitional. Of course, [you are] a fan's favourite when you play like that and can score goals like that."

• Van Nistelrooy believes Vardy's career is a "remarkable story" and that it is "fair to say he is the best player ever to play for this football club", adding: "The most impact on all the successes that they have had over the past 13 years. He is four games away from 500 games for the football club, two goals from 200 goals for football club. Those figures say a lot. When you put silverware next to them, then you have a complete picture."

• On if Vardy's decision can galvanise the players in remaining games: "His farewell is above anything. He deserves all the credit and honour possible from the club towards him, the squad towards him, the supporters towards him and all people who love football towards him. It is all in focus of that and that is how we will move forward."

• Van Nistelrooy denied any conversations with the ownership have taken place this week, but that the board are aware of his plans from previous discussions: "To move forward and to bring the club back and build back up with the people in this building. I am waiting for the club to come back and say OK, in the sense of when can we start to look for the alignment needed. The quicker, the better."

• On opponents Wolves and the job Vitor Pereira has done: "They have done well. The manager has done an excellent job coming in this winter. I think they have invested, not sure how much, but they reinforced the squad on top of a squad that is already good and has had a long time in the Premier League. All credit to them."

Follow all of the reaction to Vardy's leaving announcement

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Following the announcement that he will be leaving Leicester at the end of the season, Jamie Vardy has confirmed he has no plans to retire after his departure in the summer.

The striker will turn 39 in January but he has no plans to quit having scored 232 goals in 536 appearances for Fleetwood and the Foxes.

"This isn't retirement - I want to keep playing and doing what I enjoy doing most, scoring goals," he said. "Hopefully there's one or two more for Leicester between now and the end of the season and many more in the future.

"I may be 38 but I've still got the desire and ambition to achieve so much more."

If you just want something to enjoy today...

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Former Leicester winger Marc Albrighton has labelled Jamie Vardy the Foxes' greatest ever player.

Albrighton won the Premier League and FA Cup alongside Vardy while at the King Power Stadium, and his former team-mate is the only remaining player from the title-winning squad of 2015-16.

Albrighton, who left the Foxes last year, knows what legacy he leaves.

"He is obviously the greatest ever Leicester player," he told BBC Sport. "Everything he's achieved individually and with the team will never be forgotten by the Leicester fans and the club.

"It's going to be be tough for everyone because kids have grown up watching him and it's going to be a tough moment for everyone.

"It will take some getting used to not having him around the club."

Vardy is two goals away from scoring 200 for Leicester, with five games left of the season and his Foxes career.

As well as winning the Premier League and FA Cup he also helped the Foxes to the Champions League quarter-finals in 2016-17 and the Europa Conference League semi-final in 2022.

However, after a second relegation in three seasons from the Premier League was confirmed on Sunday, he described it as a "total embarrassment".

"He certainly wouldn't have wanted to go out on these terms but you've just got to recognise when you're ready and when the time is right," said Albrighton.

"I don't think there's ever been a good time for him to do this. You have to look past what's happened in this last year and recognise what he's done in the ast 12 or 13 years.

"It's not ideal the club have just been relegated and he goes out now but at the same time everybody has to move on, Vards himself and the club."

Jamie Vardy was a central character in arguably the greatest story in the history of the Premier League.

He was the talisman and main marksman in the Leicester City side that stunned the sporting world by winning the Premier League in 2015-16.

From relegation escape artists the previous season and 5,000-1 outsiders, to champions the next is a feat that is unlikely to be repeated.

And at the heart of it all was Jamie Vardy - pacey, feisty and an inspiration behind an unlikely tale that will always be re-told as long as the Premier League exists.

Leicester have labelled Vardy the club's greatest player. Few would mount an argument against that tag being applied.

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Jamie Vardy's departure will mark the end of an era at Leicester City.

The striker put his name in the history books during his 13-year stint at the club - scoring in a record-breaking 11 consecutive top-flight matches, lifting the Premier League trophy with 5000-1 odds and ranking the eighth best in the world in the 2016 Ballon d'Or.

So tell us, what does Vardy mean to you?

Was it the right time for him to leave or should he have extended his stay?

What are your most iconic memories of him?

Where should the club build his statue?

Let us know your thoughts here

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Striker Jamie Vardy says he is "devastated" to be leaving Leicester.

It was confirmed on Thursday that the 38-year-old's 13-year spell with the club will be coming to an end at the conclusion of the season. He has scored 198 goals and is third on the list for all-time appearances with 496.

In an emotional video posted on Leicester's X account, external, Vardy said: "To the fans of Leicester, gutted that this day is coming but I knew it was going to come eventually.

"I've had 13 unbelievable years at this club, with lots of success, some downs, but the majority all highs.

"But it's finally time to call it a day, which I'm devastated about but I think the timing is right.

"I just want to sincerely thank you all for taking me in as one of your own. Leicester will always, always have a massive place in my heart and I will make sure that I will be following for the years to come in what I hope will be even more success for the club.

"As for now, this is my goodbye but you will see me again soon, I promise."